HABITS OF THE TIGER. 
211 
house without thinking he was at my 
elbow. I suppose, however, one would 
get used to it, as people do to living in the 
neighbourhood of a volcano.” 
“ Where tigers abound in any consider¬ 
able numbers, they generally contrive to 
keep themselves remembered,” said Miss 
Louisa. “ The natives are very much afraid 
of them at all times. It has sometimes 
happened that palankin-travellers have 
been placed in imminent peril by the alarm 
of their bearers, who on the first appear¬ 
ance of the dreaded animal put down 
their burden and take to flight.” 
“ Cowardly rascals !” exclaimed Eichard, 
indignantly. 
“ I think you judge them rather harshly, 
Eichard. Self-preservation is, in each cir¬ 
cumstance, the first thought of almost 
everybody; and it is hardly to be expected 
that the bearers should risk their lives for 
the sake of a perfect stranger, who, being 
usually armed, has a much better chance of 
escape than the naked and defenceless 
Hindoos. On one occasion, a gentleman 
travelling in this way perceived a very 
large tiger quietly reposing under the shade 
